SCOUT NOTES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 139, 14 May 1936, Page 2

SCOUT NOTES

(By “Tenderfoot.”) “Specially for Cubs,” says an Akela in Scout: —“Have you ever watched your cat stalking a bird? He will hide behind clumps of flowers, and then stealthily creep nearer and nearer, crouched on the ground, until —with one bound, he is on the poor littl ebird. Sometimes, of course, Mr Bird is keeping a. sharp look-out, and just as the cat springs he flies off to a safe perch and, I expect, sits there laughing. The Indians of North America were very clever stalkers. They often disguised themselves by putting the head of a lynx over their own heads, and allowing the skin of the animal to hang over their shoulders. At a distance, the Indian looked just like a. lynx, and no one would guess that there was a man inside the skin. In fact, they could even deceive the real live lynxes. So. you see, the Indians had to know all ■about a live lynx, just how it walked, ran, got up and crouched for a spring. Every Cub should practice stalking. Watch your cat and then imitate what he does. 1 Try to bring your hands and feet down one in front of the other. Then see how long you can remain perfectly still without moving. Learn to “freeze,” which means to stop suddenly, just where you are, and yet to do it so silently that no one hears you. Some day you may be glad you learned how to do this, if you are ever a big-game hunter, or an explorer, or something equally exciting. Hunters have sometimes saved their lives when attacked by lions by being able to lie so perfectly still that the lions have thought they were dead and gone away, for no lion will touch a dead man. The*- like to kill their own food, and not have it killed for them.

We must trv to remember the Cubs more often in these notes; the Cubs of to-day are the Scouts of to-morrow and time does fly quickly. The Commissioner says the attendance at the last Scouters’ meeting was very disappointing, but as it was so bitterly cold he will forgive absentees this time. Since then many have expressed disappointment at not being present-; they have learned of the important things considered. Another lady cubmaster for the ’terrace End group, Mrs L. Boag, was welcomed at the last Scouters’ meeting. She should be very happy in her new post. Recognition of good work and ability : Six lady cubmasters who passed part II of the Cub Gilwell training course at Matamata during the Easter vacation, received their certificates at the hands of the Commissioner (Mi N. D. Stubbs) at the Scouters’ meeting. The names of the successful candidates are: Misses G. Andrews (All Saints’), T. Holmes and L. Bennett (Te Awe Awe), hi. Christensen and J. Quirke (St. Patrick’s), J. Barlow (Central). Congratulations to all. Tho Dominion secretary of the Boy Scouts’ Association (Mr G. E. b. Furby, of Christchurch) will bo in Palmerston North on Sunday. All Scouters (in uniform) are expected to be present at All Saints’ Sunday school to welcome him. Afternoon tea will be served. An official intimation per medium ot the headquarters Bulletin says that advice has been received from Imperial Headquarters, London, that official mourning for our late King will cease as from May 1. Every year should mark some lug step forward, and 1936, we are told, will be no exception. Mooted for this year is a grand Scout Week rally, sometime before or during November. Tho idea started at the Scouters’ meeting last Thursday and an animated discussion showed that there is enough enthusiasm to see such an effort through. Broadcasting, torchlight processions, camp fires, street stalls, a grand finale concert in the Opera House—all these and manv other suggestions were ventilated. All this will not end in talk. Tho Commissioner and his advisers are determined on a supreme effort, and, once started, one can rest assured it Will go through. , .. A new scout hall is wanted hadlv and the central executive need funds to start the hall rolling. Every group committee will help, it is certain, as will every Rover, Scout, and Cub when the.time comes. There will be more about this another time. All Saints’ Troop.—On May 8 a concert was presented in the All Saints Parish Hall to raise funds for the repair of the church roof, and accordingly the troop abandoned their meeting i norder to assist at the concert by presenting their hakas —an item which was much appreciated. It is our custom to hold a church parade on the second Sunday of each month and on May 10 we paraded as usual -J Scouts and a corresponding number ot cubs turned out. The colour party comprised Patrol-Leaders F. Gatley and J. Howard, and Second J. Northern Troop. —Northern have lost their ha*! I and are now tenanted in Mr R McCulloch’s building in Rangitikei Street. S.M. Cliatfield has hopes or making it a cosy place. Go ahead S.M. Chatfield. and tell others when Von are ready for the house warming. Hello TnkaVo! Welcome to your new chief S.M. Barber. We hope you are going to have many happy days together. We learn that you are now quartered in Taylor’s Building, Main Street. We will be glad if you will write telling us how things are going.